I wanted to create a drink that could be served on Thanksgiving Day, and at holiday parties all the way through to Christmas. I also wanted a cocktail that was quick and easy to make, and not too expensive, so it could be served in large batches to a crowd. This warm, rum spiked mulled cider ticks all of those boxes!

Ingredients

Makes 8 Cocktails

32 ounces hard apple cider (it doesn't matter if it's fizzy because the boiling process gets rid of most of the bubbles)

8 ounces rum (I love Flor de Caña, but any dark rum will do)

1 orange, peeled

2 cinnamon sticks

8 cloves

Dried apple slices, optional for serving

Method

In a large pot or dutch oven combine the hard cider, rum, orange peel, cinnamon sticks, and cloves and bring to the boil.

Allow the mixture to simmer for around 5 minutes, and then take off the heat.

Serve warm, and garnish with a slice of orange peel, dried apple, or cinnamon stick.

Notes

This recipe easily doubles or triples (or quadruples!) depending on the size of your crowd.

It's pretty easy to drink, so you can increase the amount of cider and decrease the amount of rum if you think your crowd might go for seconds or thirds.